Sept. 27, 2005

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Paul Williams caught a touchdown pass and returned a blocked punt for a score, and Tyrone Culver returned a fumble for another touchdown in Fresno State's 44-14 victory over Toledo on Tuesday night.

Bryson Sumlin ran for 106 yards and a score and also caught a TD pass as the Bulldogs (2-1) rebounded emphatically from a 37-34 loss at Oregon 10 days ago that knocked them out of the top 25.

Capitalizing on two fumbles and another night of superb special-teams play, Fresno State scored 27 points in the second quarter of a one-sided victory over Toledo (3-1), which played without star quarterback Bruce Gradkowski in the mid-major powers' first meeting.

Paul Pinegar threw two touchdown passes, and the Bulldogs posted a blowout despite the Rockets' 304-248 edge in total yards.

Gradkowski, the Rockets' career passing leader in several categories, was held out of the game at the last minute due to an undisclosed injury. Gradkowski passed for 654 yards and nine touchdowns while the defending MAC champions averaged 53.3 points in their first three games.

Clint Cochran, Gradkowski's freshman replacement, went 16-of-24 for 163 yards and a late rushing TD in his first career start - but Toledo's first trip to Bulldog Stadium since the 1984 California Bowl wasn't much fun.

The Rockets started well, taking a 7-0 lead into the second quarter on Steve Odom's 36-yard TD reception - but they quickly fell apart with turnovers and missed defensive assignments.

Williams caught a 1-yard scoring pass from Pinegar on Fresno State's first play of the second period, and Sumlin rumbled through the secondary for a 20-yard score on a screen pass.

Just 52 seconds later, the ball popped out of Trinity Dawson's hands and high into the air. It bounced straight to Culver, who returned it 34 yards untouched.

After Toledo's Andrew Hawkins fumbled 2 minutes later, Fresno State drove for Wendell Mathis' 1-yard TD plunge 25 seconds before halftime. Mathis again was a potent combination with Sumlin, who had the sixth 100-yard game of his career.

Defensive lineman Ricky Miller blocked Brett Kern's punt in the third quarter, and Williams jogged 5 yards into the end zone to put Fresno State up 37-7 with the 20th special-teams touchdown of Hill's tenure.

A tough road loss in Eugene cost Fresno State its first preseason ranking, but the Bulldogs still believe they've got their best shot yet at coach Pat Hill's first outright WAC title in his nine seasons.

Fresno State planned to retire former quarterback David Carr's No. 8 jersey in a ceremony at the game, but the honor was postponed by Hurricane Rita. The Houston Texans' bye-weekend schedule changed because of the storm, and Carr was forced to cancel his trip Monday.